The Archaeological Survey of India has
documented 732 unprotected monuments across the country, some dating back to
the Iron Age and early historical ages, during the village-to-village survey
relaunched after a hiatus of over a decade.

The survey, re-launched by the ASI last year, covered about 2066 villages
during 2014-15. While Karnataka
topped the list with 177 unprotected monuments and archaeological sites,
it was followed by Tamil Nadu
with 72 and Madhya Pradesh
62.According to ASI officials, during the course of the survey the
authorities have documented an early historical period site in Amethi district of Uttar Pradesh dating back to the eighth century BC. The
archaeological mound situated in Samaha village
spreads across an area of approximately 40 acres.

Stone Circle in Erode, Tamil Nadu [Credit: Sasi Dharan]

Similarly, in Kanarpur
village of Buxar district of Bihar, the officials have surveyed an
ancient site spread over 500 metres on the banks of river Ganga. The surveyors
have recorded vital antiquities such terracotta human heads and parts of animal
figurines. Based on the technique and shape of the pottery and antiquities, the
officials observed that those might belong to the early historical period.

Another significant site that was
documented during the survey includes inscribed and uninscribed Sati pillars in Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh,
the officials said.

Other important finds include an Iron Age
site, where 25 megalithic burials sites
comprising stone circles and cairn circles were discovered. "The surveyed
villages, where antiquarians have been found, are documented digitally. Even as
our target was to survey 5000 villages in five years, our officials were able
to survey over 2000 villages in just a year," a senior ASI official said.
ASI circles in different parts of the country have been asked to send
additional details of some of the important sites that were documented during
the survey, he added.

Though
ASI used to conduct village-to-village surveys in the past, the practice was
discontinued about 10 years ago owing to paucity of manpower,
officials said. However, it has been renewed in an attempt to bring the
unprotected archaeological remains to light.